Aklan students into shipbuilding

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has allotted a funding grant of P66.5 million to an effort of the Aklan State University (ASU) and an Aklan-based shipyard to develop a modern hybrid steel trimaran cargo vessel that can also run on wave energy.

The hybrid trimaran has been conceptualized by engineer Jonathan Salvador, owner of the Metallica Shipyard in New Washington, Aklan, where the vessel will be designed and built starting this April.

The effort will also include the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as a partner, ensuring that the trimaran will be compliant to international safety and emission standards.

The construction of the hybrid craft will improve our country’s maritime industry as it is projected to be a modern design, environment-friendly, safe and unsinkable.